Question NW2559 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Reply:

Following several engagements with the sector the Department undertook to develop a programme of engagement with all relevant stakeholders with the aim of developing strategic partnerships across the sector to address issues of violence and violent cultures on campuses. This work was progressed through the workshop on safety and security held with universities and Universities South Africa (USAf). The purpose of this engagement was to understand and assess the different threats experienced by universities and identify urgent matters that need to be addressed at the institutions, including identifying areas of collaboration with different stakeholders to improve the capacity of universities to keep campuses safe.

As part of the outcomes of these engagements the Department identified a need to develop a framework at national level in a form of a blueprint for universities which will serve as a guide to standardise the systems on physical security measures across the sector. The blueprint will guide on minimum norms and standards on the provision of safety and security measures at the universities. This work is done in collaboration with the South African Police Services.

Thus far the Department has also:-

1. Developed blueprint for technical and vocational education and training colleges with the assistance of the South African Police Services (SAPS).
2. It held a workshop for the heads of security of the universities, and subsequently directed all universities on 23 June 2023 to ensure that they have developed safety and security policies aligned to the norms advanced by SAPS. Where universities sought additional assistance, this was provided by the Department. The intention of the department is to ensure that all universities incrementally and progressively exhibit uniform policies and supporting infrastructure through grants provided by the Department.